Hotel trends in top 10 cities for business travel

May 14, 2013 8:06 PM

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No. 10: West Palm Beach. Although average nightly hotel rates are still down from 2010 ($130), the 1Q 2013 average of $128 represents an increase over the same period in 2012 ($125) and 2011 ($122). New hotels don't often appear in the city, but construction is slated to start on a new 400-room project in early 2014. less

No. 10: West Palm Beach. Although average nightly hotel rates are still down from 2010 ($130), the 1Q 2013 average of $128 represents an increase over the same period in 2012 ($125) and 2011 ($122). New hotels ... more

No. 9: San Francisco: Business travelers had to spend an average of $170 a night the first quarter of this year versus the $160 average charge in the same period of 2012.

No. 9: San Francisco: Business travelers had to spend an average of $170 a night the first quarter of this year versus the $160 average charge in the same period of 2012.

No. 9: San Francisco: Business travelers had to spend an average... Photo-4627443.62383 - GreenwichTime

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No.8: Miami. Back in first quarter 2010, average hotel rates were $150, but fell to $145 and $142 in 2011 and 2012, respectively. This year they leapt up to $158. New hotels include the James Royal Palm, the SLS South Beach and the boutique Gale & Regent South Beach. less

No.8: Miami. Back in first quarter 2010, average hotel rates were $150, but fell to $145 and $142 in 2011 and 2012, respectively. This year they leapt up to $158. New hotels include the James Royal Palm, ... more

No.8: Miami. Back in first quarter 2010, average hotel rates... Photo-4627444.62383 - GreenwichTime

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No. 7: Dallas. The Texas city tied with New York for the second-highest increase in the average cost of a hotel room: 9 percent. But prices are cheaper in Big D than in the Big Apple -- the average nightly rate for 1Q 2013 in Dallas was $138 vs. $127 in 1Q 2012. Above: The downtown Hotel Indigo Dallas opened in 2006 in a nationally registered landmark building built in 1925. Another downtown hotel, the Joule, is undergoing a $78 million expansion, including 29 new suites. less

No. 7: Dallas. The Texas city tied with New York for the second-highest increase in the average cost of a hotel room: 9 percent. But prices are cheaper in Big D than in the Big Apple -- the average nightly ... more

No. 7: Dallas. The Texas city tied with New York for the... Photo-4627445.62383 - GreenwichTime

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No. 6: Atlanta. The sixth busiest city for business travel saw only a slight increase in room rates from 1Q 2012 to 1Q 2013: $126 to $130. But they've been steadily rising since 2010, when the average nightly rate was just $112. Above: The InterContinental Buckhead Atlanta is home to XO Bar, which features a specialty collection of vintage Cognacs and Armagnacs ranging from $1,000 to $6,000 per bottle -- most likely not an allowable expense for the typical business traveler. less

No. 6: Atlanta. The sixth busiest city for business travel saw only a slight increase in room rates from 1Q 2012 to 1Q 2013: $126 to $130. But they've been steadily rising since 2010, when the average nightly ... more

No. 4 : Los Angeles. Average nightly hotel rates for the first quarter of 2013 were $165, the same as they were for that period in 2010, but a bump up from last year's $159. Downtown Los Angeles is becoming a hot spot for new hotels, with several big projects underway, including a 450-room Renaissance Hotel and two other Marriott brand hotels near the Staples Center. less

No. 4 : Los Angeles. Average nightly hotel rates for the first quarter of 2013 were $165, the same as they were for that period in 2010, but a bump up from last year's $159. Downtown Los Angeles is becoming ... more

No. 3: Washington, D.C. While tourists enjoyed the cherry blossoms in bloom at the Tidal Basin this spring, business travelers enjoyed seeing average hotel rates increase only a $1 in 1Q 2013 over the $200 paid in 1Q 2012. The city's old downtown Convention Center is currently being converted into a 350-room hotel, among other uses. less

No. 3: Washington, D.C. While tourists enjoyed the cherry blossoms in bloom at the Tidal Basin this spring, business travelers enjoyed seeing average hotel rates increase only a $1 in 1Q 2013 over the $200 ... more

No. 2: Chicago. Despite being the second most visited U.S. metropolis for business travel, the Windy City has fairly reasonable hotel rates: $144 average for 1Q 2013, up just $3 over 1Q 2012. Adding to the stock of moderately priced business hotels will be Aloft Chicago City Center, opening June 20. less

No. 2: Chicago. Despite being the second most visited U.S. metropolis for business travel, the Windy City has fairly reasonable hotel rates: $144 average for 1Q 2013, up just $3 over 1Q 2012. Adding to the ... more

No. 2: Chicago. Despite being the second most visited U.S.... Photo-4627450.62383 - GreenwichTime

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No. 1: New York. No surprises here -- the busiest U.S. city for business travel also has the highest average nightly rate, $225 for 1Q 2013. That's a 9 percent increase over the same period in 2012, when rates averaged $206. Rates are significantly higher at new hotels, such as the Hyatt Union Square, which opened this month with daily rates starting at $599, plus taxes and fees. less

No. 1: New York. No surprises here -- the busiest U.S. city for business travel also has the highest average nightly rate, $225 for 1Q 2013. That's a 9 percent increase over the same period in 2012, when rates ... more

No. 1: New York. No surprises here -- the busiest U.S. city for... Photo-4627451.62383 - GreenwichTime